As the snow finally melts and the weather starts to warm, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Harlem prepares for a bright season ahead filled with spiritual reflection, cultural diversity, and artistic expression.
This spring, New Yorkers and visitors can look forward to the return of annual services including Holy Week and the Blessing of the Bicycles, a variety of classical concerts, the beloved Pride Eve kick-off celebration, and so much more.
“This year’s diverse spring programming embodies the Cathedral’s mission to be a destination, where we welcome all New Yorkers and visitors alike,” said the Very Reverend Winnie Varghese, XII Dean of the Cathedral. “Whether gathering for one of our annual services, experiencing world-class music from renowned artists like the Experiential Orchestra or New York Philharmonic, or embracing the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride, we welcome everyone – no matter their background – to explore their own spirituality through the arts, education, and worship. We remain a vibrant community hub and a real sanctuary and work to create a place of love and acceptance within our historic walls.”
Never miss new stories in Harlem
Highlights of special events and programming from March to May 2026 include:
Palm Sunday, Holy Week & Easter Services (Sunday, March 29 to April 5) – During Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Christian liturgical calendar, the Cathedral will host the following services both in-person and via livestream for all to participate. The full schedule can be found here.
Palm Sunday (March 29) – At 10:30am, the Cathedral’s Holy Eucharist Service with the Blessing of the Palms will take place in person and over livestream. Then at 4pm, all are welcome to join a special choral evensong (in person only).
Holy Tuesday: Mass of Collegiality with Blessing of the Chrism (March 31) – At 10:30am, the Cathedral will host the clergy of the Diocese of New York for the renewal of vows during the Mass of Collegiality.
Maundy Thursday (April 2) – The 7:30pm service, available in person or via livestream, will include the Holy Eucharist with Washing of the Feet and Stripping of the Altar. From 9:30pm to midnight, a contemplative reading of Dante’s Inferno will unfold in the Great Choir and Crossing. Beginning at midnight, the focus shifts to the Overnight Silent Vigil at the Altar of Repose. The Cathedral remains open all night, grounding participants in quiet prayer, meditation, and watchfulness.
Good Friday (April 3) – Holy week continues with the Liturgy of the Word at 12pm, including the solemn chanting of the Passion According to John (no Holy Communion). Following the service at 1:30pm the Cathedral will offer The Way of the Cross, a powerful reenactment of Christ’s journey from the Mount of Olives to the Hill of Calvary, taking place in both English and Spanish. At the close of the service, a cross will be unveiled for veneration on the steps of the Cathedral until 3pm.
Holy Saturday: The Great Vigil (April 4) – At 10:30am the Cathedral will host the Liturgy for Holy Saturday, with The Very Reverend Winnie Varghese, Dean, reflecting the solemnity of the day. At 7:30pm, the Great Vigil of Easter will open with the kindling of a fire, then a long series of readings sketching out God’s saving acts in Jewish and Christian biblical history. The Eucharist – the first Eucharist of Easter – marks the first time the newly baptized will join other Christians in partaking of the Lord’s Supper. This service will be offered in person and via livestream.
Easter Sunday (April 5) – At 10:30am, the Easter Morning Eucharist will take place in person and via livestream. All are welcome to join in worship and community. The service will be seated on a first come, first serve basis. At 4pm, Easter Sunday will conclude at the Cathedral with a special choral evensong (in-person only).
Experiential Orchestra’s Music in the Crypt: Out of the Shadows (Friday, April 10 & Saturday, April 11) – The Grammy-winning Experiential Orchestra (EXO) invites audiences to listen deeply to music in the profound and mysterious setting of the Crypt of the Cathedral. Each piece on the program is inspired by the unique acoustics and atmosphere of the Crypt—evoking shadows, intimacy, and reverence—reflecting EXO’s origins more than 20 years ago, when music was first made in this very space. The program features works by Franz Schreker, Caroline Shaw, and Ludwig van Beethoven, including Heiliger Dankgesang, presented in an arrangement by Music Director James Blachly for string orchestra based on Beethoven’s String Quartet, Op. 132. Three performances will take place on April 10 at 7:30pm and April 11 at 5pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are $100 can be purchased here.
28th Annual Blessings of the Bicycles (Saturday, May 2) – Prior to the Five Boro Bike Tour on Sunday, May 3, the Cathedral will host the 28th Annual Blessing of the Bicycles from 8:30am to 9:30am. Bikers, skaters, and all self-propelled vehicle users, regardless of religious background, are invited to join in the blessing. The brief ceremony will feature words from Dean Winnie Varghese, as well as the sprinkling of Holy Water on the bikes. There will also be a moment of silence to honor cyclists that have been lost in the past year. The event is free to attend and available to livestream here.
Death of Classical (Friday, May 1 & Saturday, May 2) – Following two sold-out runs, Death of Classical returns to the magnificent Crypt under the Cathedral, performing a pair of works that explore the resilience of art in response to destruction. Performances will take place from 6pm to 8pm and from 7:30pm to 9:30 pm on both Friday and Saturday. A reception will be offered for the first hour in the main space of the Cathedral and the performance will begin one hour after the event’s start time in the Crypt. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased here.
“Spirit of the City” Annual Spring Benefit (Wednesday, May 6) – At a time of tremendous challenges to our city’s affordability, equity, and opportunity, the Cathedral invites all to gather for an evening celebrating and spotlighting the civic and religious leaders, as well as the artists, philanthropists, and public servants who serve and inspire NYC. This year’s honorees are the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the first female Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, and Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, poet, scholar, and President of the Mellon Foundation. The proceeds of this annual benefit will support the Cathedral’s programming and ministries. The evening will take place May 6 from 6:30-8:30pm. More details will be available on this webpage at a later date.
AAPI Celebration and Service (Saturday, May 9) – At 10:30am, the Cathedral will hold a special Holy Eucharist service commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Closing of the last Internment Camp: Tule Lake. The celebrant will be the Very Reverend Winnie Varghese, Dean of the Cathedral, and the preacher will be the Rev. Canon John E. Kitagawa, Board Chair of The Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity & Justice. A reception will follow the service, which will take place in person and online here. Registration for this service is available here.
New York Philharmonic Concert (Wednesday, May 13) – The New York Philharmonic continues their annual tradition of performing at the Cathedral. Details on the free tickets and program will be available soon.
Law Day Choral Evensong (Sunday, May 17) – A special evensong service will take place at 4pm to honor the distinguished attorneys in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. All are invited to join either in person or via livestream here to celebrate the contributions of legal professionals in the community. There will be a reception following the service with light bites and beverages.
Great Music in a Great Space Organ Recital: Baylor University Organ Department (Friday, May 22) – As part of the Cathedral’s free recital series highlighting its historic Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, Baylor University presents a performance by Associate Professor of Organ Jens Korndörfer, performing alongside the winner of the Semper Pro Musica student competition. The recital will take place from 7:30pm to 9pm. Tickets are free with reservation and available here.
Pride Eve (Saturday, May 30) – Iconic Pride will once again kick off at the Cathedral with Pride Eve at 6pm. Hosted by the Greedy Peasant for the third year in a row, the celebration will feature colorful costumes, crafting, and a performance by the TRANScend Ambassadors, culminating in the illumination of the iconic Pride Lights, lighting up the Cathedral and marking the start to a variety of colorful programming throughout the month of June. The full Pride programming schedule will be announced at a later date.
For more information and a calendar of events, visit www.stjohndivine.org and follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @StJohnDivineNYC.
The Cathedral
Founded in 1892 and one of the largest cathedrals in the world, the trustees of the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine conceived its mission to be a house of prayer for all people, an instrument of church unity, and a center of intellectual light and leading in the spirit of Jesus Christ.
Today, as the mother church of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and the seat of its bishop, the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine serves the many diverse people of our diocese, city, nation and world through the worship of God; pastoral, educational and community outreach activities; cultural and civic events; international ecumenical initiatives; and the preservation of the great architectural and historic site that is its legacy.
For more information, visit www.stjohndivine.org and follow on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok @StJohnDivineNYC.
Become a Harlem Insider!
From history to today’s headlines—everything Harlem, in your inbox.
By signing up, you’re agreeing to receive communications from Harlem World Magazine and our Privay Policy.